Hamas says no to recognition of Israel

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (R) talks with President Mahmoud Abbas (L) during their meeting in Cairo May 4, 2011. The rival factions, Fatah and Hamas, signed a reconciliation accord in Cairo after reaching common ground against Israeli occupation and peace efforts. Mashaal said they had a 'common goal; a Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the reconciliation between the factions as a 'blow to peace', but the US declined to make any comment. UPI\ Mohammed Hosam | License Photo

Palestinians celebrate in Gaza City the signing of the reconciliation agreement between rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, in Cairo, on Egypt, May 4, 2011. The reconciliation agreement ends four years of hostile division between Hamas and Fatah and paves the way for Palestinian general elections next year. UPI/Ismael Mohamad | License Photo

A Palestinian man wrapped with the Fatah party flag shakes hands with a Hamas security man as they celebrate in Rafah, Gaza, the signing of the reconciliation agreement between rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, in Cairo, on Egypt, May 4, 2011. The reconciliation agreement ends four years of hostile division between Hamas and Fatah and paves the way for Palestinian general elections next year. UPI/Ismael Mohamad | License Photo

Palestinians celebrate in Gaza City the signing of the reconciliation agreement between rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, in Cairo, on Egypt, May 4, 2011. The reconciliation agreement ends four years of hostile division between Hamas and Fatah and paves the way for Palestinian general elections next year. UPI/Ismael Mohamad | License Photo

Palestinians celebrate in Gaza City the signing of the reconciliation agreement between rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, in Cairo, on Egypt, May 4, 2011. The reconciliation agreement ends four years of hostile division between Hamas and Fatah and paves the way for Palestinian general elections next year. UPI/Ismael Mohamad | License Photo

GAZA CITY, Gaza, May 11 (UPI) -- A Hamas official says the militant group will never recognize Israel as it would deprive future Palestinian generations of the right to "liberate the land."

Mahmoud Zahar said Wednesday Hamas would be willing to accept a Palestinian state "on any part of Palestine," marking the first time Hamas has publicly stepped back from its stated goal of a Palestinian state "from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea," The Jerusalem Post reported.

However, Zahar said, Hamas would not recognize Israel, because doing so would "cancel the right of the next generation to liberate the land."

Recognition of Israel could lead to Palestinian refugees losing their right of return, he said.

"What will be the fate of the 5 million Palestinians in the diaspora?" Zahar asked.

Zahar's statements come amid efforts by former Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas to form a unity government after they signed a reconciliation agreement in Cairo last week, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

On Tuesday, a top Palestinian official said a unity government would be formed in 10 days.